This is the time to do it. DePaul is playing its third of four straight games in Chicago before playing Cal in Berkeley next week. Eight of DePaul's first 10 games are in or around Chicago.

It's a vast difference from last season, when half of their first 10 games were on the road, opening at Creighton, playing at Kansas and three games in a Puerto Rico tournament. That translated into a 3-7 start.

Detroit could be one of the more physical teams DePaul faces, Wainwright said. The Titans, led by new coach Ray McCallum, a former Indiana assistant, have four starters back but a host of new players.

"Our guys are treating every game like a really important NCAA game and they know they have to do that to be successful," Wainwright said.